Want to know some of the best spots in Vienna for photography and Instagram? In this post I will tell you my top spots where you’ll be able to capture perfect pictures to share with your friends and followers.
You’ll also find photography tips and recommendations for some of the spots. Some of the suggestions may be a popular location, such as the Schönbrunn, but there are some hidden spots that make for really good Instagrammable photos and often get really good engagement.
For Christmas photography spots head to Christmas in Vienna: The Best Places to See and Photograph the Lights.
Here are the best and must-visit Instagram and photography locations in Vienna.
This article has been written by Mike Clegg who lived for several years in Vienna. During this time he spent much time exploring and photographing the city and finding the best places for photographs. You can read more about him below and on his bio.
1. Spittelberggasse
This is one of my favourite streets in the city with fantastic baroque architecture and cobbled streets. This street is beautiful to photograph and you’ll also find great restaurants around here, such as Ulrich which is amazing.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See the location on Google Maps
2. Stephansdom Towers
The view from the Stephansdom Towers is a must for photography and Instagram. From the top you’ll get far-reaching views, especially from the South Tower. If you have time we’d recommend visiting both the towers as you’ll get different perspectives. It’s also possible to include part of the iconic tiles roof in your shots too, although I didn’t do that in my shot below. This is one of the best places for taking pictures of the Vienna skyline.
Tip: If you go during the winter months when the sun goes down early, you can get up there for sunset before it closes.
Best time for pics: Sunset
Cost: Ticketed
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
3. Schönbrunn Palace
The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most famous places to visit in Vienna and the actual palace is a stunning building that was which was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs.
At the Schönbrunn the classic spots are of the gardens and flowers, and from the top of the hill near the Gloriette where you can take pictures down towards the palace with the gardens leading towards it.
The gardens of the Schönbrunn are free to visit and you can also great some great pictures of the exterior of the building. To Learn more about the palace and also to visit the interior then you could take a tour.
Best time for pics: Day during opening hours
Cost: The gardens are free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
Towards the side of the palace in the gardens are some awesome tunnels such as below. I found these kinds of pictures do very well on Instagram. Of course during the summer they are more green, and during the autumn they would be closer to the below.
To get to the exact spot visit my marker on Google Maps.
4. Ferstel Passage
This beautiful passage within the Innere Stadt is very Vienna with a magnificent and elegant design. There are also nice cafes if you fancy a delicious Melange (Viennese coffee). This is pretty much a secret Instagram spot in Vienna that you won’t see many people posting.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See directions/location on Google Maps
5. Café Central
One of Vienna’s most picturesque coffeehouses is Café Central. As you go in you’ll instantly be greeted by stunning pillars reaching from floor to ceiling. This cafe is also perfect for a break to get some tasty Viennese coffee and cake.
Tip: When taking photographs make sure you use a very wide-angle lens otherwise you won’t get as much in the picture.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Drink or snack at the restaurant is polite
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
6. Graben
The Graben is one of the most beautiful streets in the city (especially at Christmas in Vienna).
Tip: Along this street, you’ll find the Column of Pest(Column of The Trinity) which was built to commemorate plague victims. Using this column can help when composing your photograph.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location: Graben, 1010
7. Kohlmarkt
Another fantastic street is the Kohlmarkt which leads from the Graben towards the Hofburg Palace. Towards the end closest to the Hofburg is another nice coffeehouse called Demel. This is similar to Cafe Central with a wonderful Viennese design (although it looks very different). You can also pop into the shop on the ground floor.
Tip: Try taking photographs leading down towards the Hofburg. This street is also particularly nice at Christmas.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free
Location: Kohlmarkt, 1010
Enhance Your Trip
Top Day Tours, Activities and Experiences in Vienna
8. Staatsoper exterior
The Vienna State Opera is very impressive, even more so at night when it’s lit up.
Tip: When taking photographs at night, use a tripod and a long exposure to capture light trails going past. This adds an extra element to the picture. Another good spot is near the entrance to the Albertina Museum which is located on the other side.
Best time for pics: Blue hour/night
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
9. Staatsoper interior
The Staatsoper offers guided tours of the inside which provides the perfect opportunity for some interior shots. One of the famous photography spots is on the main staircase as you go in the front entrance.
Tip: If you fancy watching some opera you could avoid a tour and also get some pics of the staircase whilst waiting for the production to start.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Theatre tickets or a tour
Location: As above
10. Rathaus
When I first saw Rathaus I was seriously impressed. Taking pictures of it isn’t really the easiest as there is almost always an event or something going on in front of it.
So when taking photographs you will have to just see what’s going on during your visit and if there is, then try and use it to your advantage. The Rathaus is also particularly nice at night when it’s lit.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
11. Austrian National Library
This library definitely isn’t the easiest for Instagram as it’s so wide. At night it gets lit up and also looks nice.
Tip: If you happen to be in the city just after the rain, then you might find puddles such as below where you may capture perfect reflections. This makes it a lot easier to take a picture that is square or portrait (landscape crops aren’t that great for Instagram). You could also try using a wide-angle lens and then take pictures closer to the building.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
12. Palace of Justice
The interior of the Palace of Justice is a hidden gem. The main attraction in this building is the floor and architecture in the main hall towards the entrance. Head up the stairs and then go towards the back for a high perspective.
Another good spot is to head up the elevator to the top floor and visit the Justizcafe which has an outside patio overlooking the city.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
13. University of Vienna
At the University of Vienna there are a few magnificent staircases and corridors which make for great photographs. To find the staircases after you’ve walked through the main entrance and past reception, take the corridors either right or left.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
14. Hotel Imperial Vienna
Although not a public building if you decide to stay at the Hotel Imperial Vienna you can get some shots of the stunning interior which is a Viennese style at it’s best. Even if you don’t stay here, you could pop into the cafe, restaurant or bar.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: A reservation or visit to the cafe or restaurant would be polite
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
15. Karlskirche
Karlskirche is a stunning baroque church and is a fantastic photography spot. Often at night you’ll find other photographers with their tripods out.
Tip: During the warmer months, most likely from late spring to early autumn there is water in front (this gets emptied in the winter). This water often provides mirror-like reflections as seen below.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
16. Votive Church
The front of the Votive Church isn’t that impressive and often has ugly advertisements hanging on it. So instead head to the back of the church where you’ll find more impressive and highly detailed architecture.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
17. Jesuitenkirche
The Jesuitenkirche has a very picturesque interior and definitely a worthy Instagram spot. When I first visited it blew me away, as I was not expecting such a beautiful design.
Tip: Try taking your pictures vertically (portrait) to capture as much as possible of the ceiling down to the floor. This will make it better for posting on Instagram. You could try using a wide-angle lens if you have one.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
18. Dominikanerkirche
Around the corner from Jesuitenkirche is another stunning church, Dominikanerkirche. This is also worth visiting, especially as these churches are so close to each other.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
19. MuseumsQuartier
MuseumsQuartier is a cool place to go and hang out in the city (more so in the spring and summer).
Tip: Good viewpoints at this location include going up the steps at either side for some higher perspectives. I’d say MuseumsQuartier makes for better photography at night.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
20. Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum has an awesome foyer as you walk in with very pretty architecture. It also a beautiful cafe towards the top. When I was here they were preparing for an evening event so I didn’t manage to get a photo. Head to www.khm.at/en/explore/offers/cafe-restaurant where you’ll see a picture.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
21. Belvedere
At the Belvedere the pond in front is probably the best place for taking photos. On a calm non-windy day you may get reflections in the water. During the spring there’ll be lots of beautiful flowers all around, and in the winter you’ll have Christmas decorations.
Best time for pics: Anytime during opening times
Cost: The gardens are free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
22. Wiener Riesenrad
The Wiener Riesenrad is one of the oldest and largest Ferris wheels. It was built in 1845 and still comes with wooden cabins. I prefer photographing this at night but it also looks good in the day. Going on the Wiener Riesenrad is also quite a romantic thing to do in Vienna.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free from the ground
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
23. Streets within the Innere Stadt
Some other nice streets and squares around the inner city include Minoritenplatz, Judenplatz and Kurentgasse. I think if you are after Viennese street scenes you won’t have trouble finding them by wandering around the inner city.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
24. Alte Donau
Although not my favourite spot for photography, around the Alte Donau you can get different perspectives of Vienna showing modern skyscrapers. At night or on a calm day you’ll also get reflections in the water. In the winter this lake often freezes and can have snow on it, if that’s something you’d like.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
25. Peterskirche
This church along the Graben is particularly impressive and makes for beautiful photographs. You can also go inside too.
Tip: When taking pictures try using a slower shutter speed to capture the movement of Fiakers going past.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
27. Hundertwasserhaus
One of my favourite exteriors (potentially that I’ve ever seen) is Hundertwasserhaus. If there is one place you absolutely have to photograph when in Vienna then this is it. You’ll probably find your followers on Instagram will love pictures of this building as it’s so different.
Tip: When editing photographs, try adding exposure compensation or exposing for the darks or mid-tones, then when editing add some saturation to make the colours pop a bit.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
26. Kunst Haus Wien. Museum
The Kunst Haus Wien is a museum based on Hundertwasser’s work (who also designed the incredible building above). The exterior is pretty unusual and very Instagrammable with a fantastic pattern and design as you can see in the photograph below and also Hundertwasserhaus above.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Where is this? See location/directions on Google Maps
28. Capturing Fiakers
Photographs of the Fiakers (horse and carriage) normally do quite well on Instagram. You’ll find these all around Vienna’s inner city (Innere Stadt).
Tip: Try being patient when taking these pictures. Once you’ve identified a good spot where you know the Fiakers go past, such as on Michaelerplatz, be patient and wait. It’ll totally be worth it.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
29. Capturing Trams
One of the main ways of getting around the city is by using trams. These are an iconic red and are great to include in photographs of the city. Some of the best spots to take photographs of these are in the Innere Stadt (Inner district) and there is a large ring road that circles this area. Simply walk around this part of the city, such as near the Rathaus, Kunsthistorisches museum and Staatsoper and then find some beautiful buildings to include along with the trams.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location: Throughout the city
Tours and activities
Below are some of the best tours and activities to consider when visiting Vienna. You may also want to see our article Vienna: Best Day Tours and Activities for lots more ideas.
My photography tips For Vienna
- Explore the city at night and use a good tripod to capture night images.
- Get out early in the Innere Stadt to explore the streets whilst they are quieter.
- Use a wide-angle lens when taking pictures of interiors.
- Try and time your visit up the Stephansdom Towers for sunset (easier in the Autumn, Spring and Winter) as you’ll be more likely to get beautiful colours in the sky.
- Use reflections such as in water features or puddles to enhance your composition.
- Consider using photography presets to further enhance your images using Lightroom and Photoshop.
See more of our photography tips and techniques.
Summary
These are some of the best Instagram and photography spots that you’ll find in Vienna. Perfect for those looking to capture some great pictures during their visit. Be sure to add some of these to your list and check out some of our other Vienna and Austria articles for more inspiration.
Ready to book? Search for:
Hotel Recommendations
Book one of my recommended hotels or find a deal on booking.com:
- Recommended mid-range hotel: 25 Hours Hotel – A fun hotel with a great rooftop bar and a short walk from major attractions.
- Recommended luxury hotel: Hotel Imperial – A Luxury Collection Hotel – One of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the city with opulent designs making you feel like you’re in a palace. A higher price point but sure to add a very special experience to your visit.
